[King's Landing - Red Keep, Morgana's Chambers]

As Princess Morgana Baratheon sat in her chambers, surrounded by the opulent finery and luxurious fabrics that had been her birthright for as long as she could remember, she couldn't shake off the feeling of impending doom. Heavily pregnant with twins, and feeling ready to pop, she felt vulnerable and alone.

But it wasn't just her own personal fears that weighed on her mind - it was the news that had reached her ears earlier that day, of an ambush led by the Faith Militant in the streets of King's Landing. The group, a powerful religious order that had been disbanded for centuries, re-armed by her own mother, Queen Cersei, and led by the enigmatic High Sparrow, had taken to the streets, destroying brothels and punishing those they deemed to be sinners.

Morgana knew that this was a terrible mistake. She had alwys believed that the Faith should be a source of comfort and guidance, not a tool for oppression and violence. But her mother seemed determined to use the Faith to consolidate her power, no matter the cost. And now, it seemed that the cost would be paid in blood.

She sat in her chambers, listening to the chaos that raged outside. She knew that she should be safe within the castle walls, but the sound of shouts and cries pierced even the thick stone blocks that surrounded her. Her heart raced as she thought of her unborn children, twins who kicked and squirmed inside her womb. How could she protect them from this madness?

Morgana knew that the Faith Militant's growing power and influence within the kingdom was a ticking time bomb, just waiting to explode. And now, it seemed that explosion was imminent.

She knew that her mother had made a grave mistake in arming these radicals, and now the consequences of that decision were becoming all too clear. Morgana feared for the future of her family, her kingdom, and her own life.

What would happen to her if they discovered she possessed magical abilities?

Tommen, her brother and the current king, was rumored to be a bastard, the product of her mother's incestuous relationship with her twin brother.

Morgana's own fate was intertwined with the rise of the Faith Militant. Rumors abounded that she possessed magical powers, and while she had nevr confirmed or denied these claims, she knew that the people of King's Landing whispered behind her back, calling her a sorceress and a threat to the realm.

This would make her a target for the Faith Militant's ruthless persecution of those deemed "impure".

But it was not just her own reputation that worried her. She had heard tales of the High Sparrow's ruthless tactics, his ability to sway the faithful with his charismatic words and his willingness to do whatever it took to achieve his goals. And with her mother's support, he was becoming increasingly powerful, his influence spreading like wildfire throughout the city.

Morgana took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. She had to think clearly, to find a way to stop her mother before it was too late. She would speak to her, reason with her, and make her see the error of her ways. For the sake of her unborn children, for the sake of her family, and for the sake of the realm, she would do whatever it took to prevent the return of the Faith Militant's tyranny.

Wanting to inform her mother of her concerns, she asked one of her handmaidens to summon her.

"Mother, I cannot shake the feeling that this is a grave mistake," Morgana said, her voice trembling slightly as she clutched at her swollen stomach. "We have seen what happens when the Faithful gain too much power and influence. They become fanatics, willing to do anything in the name of their gods."

Cersei sat beside her daughter, her expression stern and unyielding. "I understand your worries, my dear. But we need the Faith Militant now more than ever. The Tyrells and the Martells are growing too powerful, and we must counter their influence if we are to maintain our hold on the Seven Kingdoms."

Morgana shook her head, her dark hair cascading down her back like a river of night. "But at what cost? We risk creating another army of zealots, one that will turn on us once they have served their purpose. And what of the common people? They will suffer under the yoke of the Faithful, just as they did during the War of the Five Kings."

Cersei leaned forward, her eyes glinting with determination. "We will not let that happen, Morgana. We will keep the Faith Militant in check, use them against our enemies as needed, but never allow them to grow too strong. That is the price of their loyalty."

Morgana sighed, knowing that her mother would not be swayed from her course. She had always been fiercely intelligent and ambitious, but sometimes those qualities blinded her to the consequences of her actions. And yet, despite her misgivings, Morgana knew that she could not stand against her mother openly. If the High Sparrow did, in fact, become a problem, as Morgana knew they would, the best thing the royal family could do was stand together.

[King's Landing - Red Keep, Small Council Chamber]

The next morning, at the next council meeting, Morgana had been asked to attend. She was unsure why, but she was also shocked to find Margaery present. And, she did not look happy.

What had her mother done?

Which is why she was shocked by what came out of Margaery's mouth next.

"Another one of my family's caravans has been attacked. What is to be done about it? Highgarden provides much of the food in King's Landing. If this continues, the city will starve... and the Reach."

"We are well aware of this problem, Your Grace-" Cersei began.

"And yet nothing has been done. We must send men to deal with these looters."

"I agree," Cersei stated, shocking everyone.

"The men were reportedly seen wearing armour with a Kraken; the sigil of the Greyjoys." Pycelle notified them.

"We should send men to deal with them," Cersei continued. "I would suggest Loras lead these men. He is heir to Highgarden. He should defend his people and his land."

Both Morgana and Margaery's heads spun to look at Cersei.

"My brother-"

"Is a knight. Perfectly capable of dealing with Balon Greyjoy and his rebel pirates."

"Your Grace," Pycelle interjected. "It was not Balon Greyjoy leading these men."

"Who was it? The Stark ward who betrayed them?"

"No, Your Grace. This man is younger than Balon, but older than his son."

"A cousin?"

"Or a brother."

"It doesn't matter whose leading them," Margaery said. "I am the Queen. I will not send my brother to his possible death."

"Very well," Cersei relented, shocking Margaery. She had expected more of a fight. "Let us be done here."

Morgana watched as everyone left and the door closed before turning to her mother.

"Why are you sending Loras to Highgarden to deal with looters? Surely they have an army for that."

"He's the Heir to Highgarden. It's only natural to send him to defend the land he is to inherit."

But Morgana knew better. She could see the calculation in her mother's eyes, the way she always manipulated those around her to achieve her own ends. And she suspected that there was more to this decision than just dealing with the looters.

"But why now, Mother?" Morgana pressed. "Why not send one of our own knights? Surely there are plenty of capable men here at King's Landing who could handle the task just as well."

"I have no doubt that our own knights would do their duty."

"What you really want is to isolate Margaery from her family," Morgana accused, her voice rising. "You cannot stand how much influence she has over Tommen, can you? Especially now that they are married and she is Queen."

Cersei's face twisted into a scowl at the mention of Margaery's name. She had nevr liked the young woman, and the more she saw of her, the more she disliked her. Girls like Margaery were a dime a dozen in the world of court politics - pretty, charming, and completely amoral. They would stab you in the back without hesitation if it benefited them.

"She has already tried to get your brother to ship me back to Casterly Rock. Why would she be content with only that? Do you honestly think she wouldn't find a way to send you away once you've given birth? She is Queen, but she has no heirs. You will soon have two."

"What? You think she is threatened by me? By my children?"

"I know girls like her. They are poisonous creatures. They smile in your face, gain your tryst and make you think that you're friends. Only to stab you in the back." Cersei leaned forward, her eyes narrowing into slits. "I will not have that woman influencing my son," she hissed. "She may have won him over with her charm and beauty, but I know what lies beneath. She wants nothing more than to gain power for herself and her family."

Morgana nodded thoughtfully. She had noticed the same thing - how Margaery seemed to genuinely care for the common people, even though her actions were often motivated by self-interest. But whereas Cersei dismissed these efforts as manipulation, Morgana saw something else entirely.

"But don't you see, Mother?" she asked gently. "That's exactly what sets Margaery apart from most. She understands the value of popularity among the small folk. She knows that their loyalty can be just as powerful as any army."

Cersei scoffed. "You sound like one of those foolish maidens who believes that love and kindness can conquer all. Love is a weakness, Morgana. Power is what truly matters."

"But perhaps that is exactly what our kingdom needs, Mother," Morgana suggested carefully. "A queen who is loved and respected by the people, rather than feared and reviled."

Cersei's grip on the armrest tightened. "You dare to question my methods, child? I have kept this realm together through cunning and strength, not through empty gestures and false smiles like Margaery does."

Morgana sighed, feeling a familiar frustration. Her mother would nevr understand the importance of empathy and understanding when it came to ruling a kingdom. While Margaery made effort to appeal to the masses, Cersei only cared about maintaining her own power and status. And yet, despite this fundamental difference, both women shared a single goal: to secure the Iron Throne for themselves and their families.

The two women were mirror images of each other, both driven by their desire for power and control. And yet, while Margaery sought to use her charm and grace to achieve her goals, Cersei relied on fear and intimidation. Which approach would ultimately prove more effective? Only timr would tell.